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An Alabama Christmas Train Ride In Huntsville!

Published: October 31, 2025

By: Adam Burns

Tucked into the Huntsville area at the historic Chase Depot, the North Alabama Railroad Museum (NARM) is a living love letter to railroading.

Run almost entirely by volunteers, the museum preserves vintage locomotives, passenger coaches, and artifacts while operating seasonal excursion trains along the Mercury & Chase Railroad. Every autumn, excitement builds for the museum’s most popular outings of the year: two festive Christmas trains that turn a winter evening into a memory.

The Santa Train and the North Star Limited each offer their own style of holiday magic, drawing families from across North Alabama and beyond to experience the simple joy of rail travel wrapped in twinkling lights and peppermint cheer.

About The Museum

A quick note about the setting: the museum’s home base at Chase Depot is often cited as the smallest union depot in the United States—a tiny station that once served more than one railroad.

That hint of history sets the tone. From the moment you step onto the platform, you’re surrounded by the textures and sounds of classic American railroading: steel wheels, polished brass, and the low hum of a mid-century diesel easing to a stop. The trains are real, the coaches are historic, and the volunteers who restore and operate them are passionate about sharing the experience with the next generation.

The Santa Train

The Santa Train is the museum’s kid-favorite holiday ride. Designed especially for younger children, it’s a cheerful, family-friendly daytime excursion that keeps the experience short, sweet, and packed with smiles.

Santa is the star of the show, of course—visiting with kids on board, listening to wish lists, and spreading good cheer. Expect plenty of photo opportunities, seasonal decorations inside the coaches, and a gentle pace that even toddlers can enjoy.

Because this excursion is focused on families with small children, it’s a popular first train ride for little ones. The museum’s car hosts, all volunteers, are warm and welcoming, eager to answer questions about the trains or help snap a family photo.

While the specifics can vary year to year, the Santa Train typically emphasizes interaction and nostalgia over spectacle. You won’t find licensed characters or elaborate on-board theatrics. Instead, the magic comes from the setting—a real heritage train—and the timeless ritual of meeting Santa on a moving railroad car.

Parents appreciate the manageable length and the daylight departure, which keeps the rhythm of the day intact for nap schedules and dinner plans. If you’re introducing your children to holiday train travel for the first time, the Santa Train is a perfect, low-stress way to do it.

The North Star Limited

For families and couples looking for a more immersive evening experience, the North Star Limited is the museum’s nighttime holiday excursion. As dusk settles, the coaches glow with festive lights and the countryside outside turns into a soft wash of winter silhouettes.

The atmosphere is cozy and seasonal—think classic carols, warm welcomes from the crew, and a focus on the shared experience of riding the rails after dark.

Santa usually makes an appearance on this experience as well, but the feel is different from the daytime ride. The pace is unhurried, the mood a touch more nostalgic, and the setting invites you to settle in, look out the window, and let the miles roll by.

What Makes These Trains Special

It’s also worth noting what the museum’s Christmas trains are not. They’re not a commercial theme-park attraction or a licensed character event. Don’t expect choreographed light shows or digital effects. Instead, expect the sights, sounds, and pace of real railroad travel—made festive for the holidays.

For many families, that authenticity is the point. Children learn that trains aren’t just decorations; they’re powerful machines with a rich history.

Parents and grandparents revisit the wonder of their own first train rides. And everyone shares the simple pleasure of a winter journey through North Alabama, snug in vintage coaches while the countryside slips past the windows.

If you’re planning a holiday weekend in the Huntsville area, the museum pairs well with other seasonal activities—downtown lights, craft markets, and local dining—making the Santa Train or North Star Limited a highlight of a festive itinerary.

Be sure to check the museum’s official website and social media for the most current information on dates, times, ticket prices, accessibility, and onboard offerings, as these can change from year to year. Because these trains sell out, consider joining the museum’s mailing list or following their announcements so you can book as soon as tickets are released.

Final Thoughts

Whichever train you choose, advance planning is essential. NARM’s Christmas trains are beloved and often sell out quickly—sometimes weeks or months in advance. Tickets typically go on sale in the fall, and because seating is limited by the number of historic coaches available, popular dates disappear fast.

Mark your calendar to check early, especially if you need multiple seats together for a large family. Plan to arrive ahead of your departure time to allow for parking, will-call or check-in, and a few moments to stroll the platform and take photos before boarding.

In an era of streaming screens and fast-scrolling feeds, the North Alabama Railroad Museum’s Christmas trains invite you to slow down and savor a shared experience.

Whether your little one is meeting Santa for the very first time on the Santa Train, or you’re toasting the season with an evening ride on the North Star Limited, you’ll step off with something rare: a memory anchored in place and time, held together by the rhythm of the rails.

That’s the gift NARM gives to its community every December—a chance to make the holidays feel both brand-new and timeless, all at once.